 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-08-05 02:25
Well, I've switched ligatures to the Francois Louis. Much clearer and crisper tonguing, it's metal, not plastic like my old lig so I know it'll last much longer and through some bumps if it has to, and it allows me more dynamic expression and a slightly better tone. Also, and I don't know if this is really a product of different ligatures or not, but it somehow allows me to play harder reeds than usual. Only a difference of about a quarter strenght, but I could play FOF 4's easier on the new lig than the FOF 3.75's on the old lig. Wierd, yes. But appealling.
So this small, limited review is for those who are considering trying it. I liked it. It's similar to the "floating rail" ligature.
For those wondering where I found it, I got it Graham's Music. I asked him to send me some ligatures to try out. He sent a bonade inverted (it didn't fit my mouthpiece), then after I returned that he sent a rovner eddie daniels and the Francois Louis. I have the Rovner dark and the gigliotti. So out of those five aforementioned, I choose the FL lig to be above and beyond. BTW, good customer service through him. (which helps to prove my point on an earlier post regarding how the smaller, less major businesses tend to give better and more personalized service versus the large distributors which base mostly on price due to the ordering in mass quantities that they can afford to do).
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2003-08-05 04:33)
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-08-05 14:34
My daughter switched over to it (FL) from the Vandoren optimum with plate 1 (parallel rails). She said that the FL plays much cleaner than the Vandoren (I noticed it right away). She also said that the Vandoren has an annoying buzz to it that you can feel as well as hear. I am not entirely sure what she is talking about but she likes the FL more so my attitude is "Go with it."
Regards
Mark
Post Edited (2003-08-05 19:18)
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-08-06 02:15
Alexi, "It's similar to the "floating rail" ligature." How? Price, performance, construction? Has anyone done a comparison between the FL and Peter Spriggs? Is it a Spriggs clone?
Bob A
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-08-06 03:55
I have commented on the wonderful FL ligature on many earlier posts (please check).
They are also available to tryout or purchase in NYC at:
Roberto's Woodwind Shop on West 46th St.
I use a prototype of the brass model. They are also available in Silver & Gold (plated).
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Eric
Date: 2003-08-06 04:34
How do these ligatures compare to Bay ligatures in terms of response, color and articulation?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-08-06 05:54
Bob A,
In construction they are similar. I've never tried a floating rail ligature so I don't know how the sound compares, but the design is very similar. The floating rail ligature has two metal "rails" that each are on independent supports and literally "float" until they hit a reed and are pushed into the reed with the screw. The FL lig has one larger floating plate that will push into the reed. It takes a little time to put on an FL since you have to line up the plate well. It's just wide enough to put pressure on the outermost sides of the reed without actually going over the sides.
JJM,
That's another thing that surprised me. After posting this I did a search wondering why I haven't every heard of this ligature before. Then I notice how often it was spoken of and how highly regarded it was. For some reason, it just never stuck or clicked in my mind! Had I only realized all the talk about it and tried it out earlier. BTW, I use the brass. Sounds good to me.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: studioline
Date: 2003-08-06 12:23
I've just got a FL ligature out on approval from my clarinet shop, and I'm not too sure. For starters it seems like a real pain to put the thing on and lining it up well with the reed, I guess though that would come in time. Also, I thought the sound was altered to being a little too hard, a bit brittle. I currently use the Vandorem Optimum, which is a brilliant mechanism and makes it all feel very free with lots of resonance.
Anyway I shall keep trying it to see if it it grows on me, but I have a sneaky feeling it might be going straight back to the shop!!
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2003-08-06 13:47
I use a Peter Spriggs floating rail ligature routinely (as well as others depending on the mouthpiece, reed, horn combination) and have tried several incarnations of the Francois Louis ligatures. There are so many variables, as mentioned - the player, mouthpiece, reed, horn, etc. that one person's opinion is just that - the experience of one individual with their set of variables producing music. All that being said, I like the Peter Spriggs better myself than the Francois Louis versions that I have tried (brass, silver and gold). The fabrication and machining of the Peter Spriggs ligature is, in my humble opinion, better, more sturdy, and less prone to variations and damage than the Francois Louis. The floating rails that contact the reed offer more lateral and pitch and yaw adjustment capabilities than the Francois Louis. The pressure adjustment from the single topmost screw on the Spriggs ligature is more sensitive, IMHO, and applies pressure more evenly than the Francois Louis. I must say that I liked the Francois Louis brass ligature but felt that the tone was a little too bright and edgy (again subjective terms of one player). As with any new piece of hardware you must give it a lengthy trial in order to tell if it alters your perceived tone and playing capabilities in a positive way. (I do not sell ligatures and have no financial interest or receive any remuneration from ligature makers)
The Doctor
Post Edited (2003-08-06 13:49)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-08-07 17:35
I have found these ligatures to be very responsive with lots of color and depth to the sound, great articulation. It seems to let the reed work without adding any coloration or distortion it in any way. Many players might find it takes a bit of adjustment to their ears, since many ligatures impose certain playing characteristics or tone to the reed. This seems to let the reed have much more freedom. As far as set up, it is simple to put on and after the first couple of times, it works as simply as any other ligature.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2007-06-01 22:25
I've been playing a FL ligature for a few weeks now and really like if for all the reasons stated above. I really perceive a difference in terms of articulation, stacatto, projection, color. It feels good and it's easy to use after a few tries.
One interesting thing, though, having to do with the tubes that come in contact with the mouthpiece: I find that if I'm leaking air through my lips, then a whistling sound is created by the tubes - something like blowing air through a tiny coke bottle.
This is actually benefitial, because it keeps me aware of my embouchure and maintaining a good seal with the lips.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2007-06-01 22:43
Yes Alexi, I used the FL lig for a few years on clar and still have it on alto sax. Great lig and very responsive. The thread of my clar FL lig stripped after much use and I opted for the Vandoren Klassic (woven string). Never looked back and find it suits me better than any other lig thus far.
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Author: kuteclar
Date: 2007-06-01 23:33
Are we talking about the silver, brass of gold ligature? Also, which plate are you using?
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Author: larryb
Date: 2007-06-02 12:57
Mine's gold with the "standard" plate (just touches the edges of the reed).
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2007-06-02 14:37
Hi larryb:
You mention:
"One interesting thing, though, having to do with the tubes that come in contact with the mouthpiece: I find that if I'm leaking air through my lips, then a whistling sound is created by the tubes - something like blowing air through a tiny coke bottle."
If the whistling sounds becomes annoying, as it did with my FL ligature during numerous recording sessions, you might try beeswax in the tube holes to plug them up, so the escaping air passes around the tubes, instead of whistling through them. Again, only if it begins to annoy you, or if you are recording and it can be heard. FWIW
Be well,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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